W17 – Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in

Developing Countries

BAZAAR OF TABRIZ; A SUSTAINABLE

ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN AREA IN

Asghar Mohammad Moradi

Email.moradi@iust.ac.ir

Fatemeh Nassabi

Email.f_nasabi@yahoo.com
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

ENHR 2007 International Conference ‘Sustainable Urban Areas’

Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in

Iran

Asghar Mohammad Moradi

Department of Architecture and urbanism
Iran University of Science & Technology, email.moradi@iust.ac.ir
+989121792655

Fatemeh Nassabi
Department of Architecture and urbanism
Iran University of Science & Technology, email.f_nasabi@yahoo.com
+989122072349

Keywords: Bazaar of Tabriz Architecture; Sara; Timche; Hojre; Sustainable architecture and urban
area

Abstract:
With the growth of population, more resource and energy is consumed and as a result
environmental population increases. The energy crisis and global changes in environment
caused sustainability to become the main concern of many groups. Built environment has a
large impact on environmental sustainability. Sustainable Architecture and urbanism seeks to
find solutions concerning the effects of human activities on environment and urban areas.
Vernacular architecture has many solutions to offer to new sustainable developments because
of its responsiveness to the environment and the context that it's located in. This research
looks at an example of vernacular architecture in Iran. The method of this research is case
study which analyzes a definite and structured urban area in Iran -Bazaar of Tabriz city- and
its different spaces such as Sara, Timche and Hojre. Bazaar is a cultural, social, commercial,
educational and sanitarian area which roles as a connectional and safe urban space.
The first part of the paper is a review of Bazaar of Tabriz in Iran and its sustainable issues.
The second part of the paper states the sustainable approach towards built environment and
architectural sustainability and a combination of the case study and the sustainable
architecture theory are analyzed. The paper shows that multi-functional spaces such as bazaar
in urban areas can have a deep role in social, cultural, economical and environmental
sustainability. This leads to coherence of architecture and urban areas that draw different parts
of city together and creates a mixed use structure which helps to adaptability, flexibility of
space and peoples' sense of belonging to it.
Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 1
Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

Introduction
Environmental impact of human activities, pollution, overpopulation, widespread
infrastructure deterioration, natural resource depletion and waste generation are some of the
reasons that make sustainability as an essential approach in contemporary world. Vernacular
architecture and urbanism of Iran has many characteristics of sustainable architecture and
studying its space helps to the future development as a successful space in the heart of the
city.
Tabriz has been the capital city of Iran in many periods. Its Bazaar has different spaces and its
strong connection to open space is remarkable in its design. It is so much related to the
climate of the city as Tabriz is located in cold climate of the country and the materials and
architectural form of this space response to the nature and context of the city. This space
shapes a sustainable place which different aspects such as social, economical and
environmental sustainability are considered in it.

Bazaar in Iran
The word "bazaar" refers to "waazaar", which is an ancient Persian word. (Porushani,
1995:305) This word, bazaar, has been transferred into many countries. A study of the usage
of the word "bazaar" since ancient times reveals the economic exchanges between Persia and
other countries. The traditional Persian bazaar is a highly organized commercial and financial
center of the city. Linked to the mosque, the seminary (madreseh), the religious space
(hoseyniyyeh), the caravansary, and the bathhouse (hammam), (Khansari and Yavari, 1987)
Bazaar is a cultural, social, commercial, educational and sanitarian area. The bazaar has been
the heart of the Iranian town. In most towns the bazaar is a covered street (Raste), or series of
streets with small shops (Hojre) grouped by service or product. Bazaar may contain the shops
of cloth and apparel dealers; carpet makers and merchants; the workshops of artisans making
goods of copper, brass, leather, cotton, and wool.
In Tabriz, that is a large city, the Bazaar is a warren of streets that contains spaces such as
baths, mosques, schools, warehouses, restaurants and gardens in addition to shops. Mass is
mixed with open space in traditional Bazaar and several central courtyards containing Green
space, wells of water and trees are in it. The Bazaar courtyards regulate the light and weather
and helps to the circulation of air and the livability of space. The modernization policies
transformed many aspects of urban society and led to the rapid growth of the urban
population. The establishment of factories displaced the numerous artisan workshops. Parts of
old bazaars were destroyed to create wide streets. Merchants were encouraged to locate retail
shops along these new streets rather than in the bazaars.
(http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ir0058)

Bazaar of Tabriz
Tabriz is the capital of one of the famous provinces of Iran, The Azarbaijan or Aturpatgan that
is perhaps the birth place of Zaratushtra and is the land of Azargoshnasp temple. Tabriz has
been the capital city of Iran on numerous times throughout the old history of this country and
is located in a valley to the north of the Mount Sahand.

Figure 1: Tabriz Bazaar in the city

http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&q=tabriz%20bazaar&bt
nG=Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 2
Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

The greatest boost to Tabriz came with the opening up of Iran to the West at the turn of 19th
century, when it became the main staging post between the interior of Iran and the Black Sea.
The Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the Middle East and also one
of the unique brick architectural textures and one of the largest closed one-roofed structures in
the world. Bazaar of Tabriz consists of some sub-bazaar in various fields including Amir
Bazaar (for gold and jewellery), shoe bazaar, Mozzafarieh (carpet bazaar) and other
subdivisions for special matters. The Bazaar remains as the economical heart of the Tabriz
contemporarily and is used for the celebration of the ceremonies (especially in Ashura).
(http://www.answers.com/topic/bazaar-of-tabriz)
Exact information on the history and origin of the bazaar is not available; however, historical
buildings such as the Jam's Mosque, Talebieh School, and Sadeqieh School indicate that the
complex is one of the oldest structures of the city. The present structure of bazaar dates back
to the closing years of the Zand dynasty (1750-1779 A.D.).
The most famous raste Bazaar of Tabriz are Amir Bazaar, Kafashaan Bazaar (Shoemakers),
Haramkhane Bazaar, Yaman Dooz Bazaar, Hallajan Bazaar, Sarajaan Bazaar, Kolahdozaan
Bazaar (hat makers), Sadeghiye Bazaar, Mesgaran Bazaar, Haj Mohammad Hosein Bazaar,
MirAbolhasan Bazaar.Famous schools and mosques in bazaar complex are Jame' Mosque,
Haj Safar Ali school, Sadeghie school.
The coverage of main halls of Bazaar is one layered-dome. These domes are the best for
Tabriz climate. In this type of coverage the direct sunshine and the rain and snow are
prohibited; the Bazaar space is kept warm in cold winters and in summer this space is colder
than outside. The domes and arches of Tabriz Bazaar are unique. The biggest dome of Bazaar
is the dome of Amir Timche.

Figure 2 : Tabriz Bazaar from satellite view

(http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&q=tabriz%20bazaar&btnG=
Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl)
Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 3
Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

Figure 3: Site plan of Tabriz Bazaar (Ahmadkhani et al, 1985 )

Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 4

Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
 Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

Figure 4: Mirza Shafie’ Timche Figure 5: Sketch of Tabriz Bazaar Raste

Timche - Sara (Covered Halls and central courtyards)

Timche (Covered halls) is an economic complex, which was designed like sara (courtyard)
but smaller and also often roofed. In timche and Sara, shops (Hojre) are located around a
courtyard. These spaces in the Bazaar act as shopping complexes for special products. they
have shops and Hojres that are for selling different goods. The most important Timche in
bazaar are: Amir Timche, Mozaffarie Timche, Haj Sheikh Kazem Timche, Gorji lar Timche,
Haj Safar Ali Timche, Mirza Shafie' Timche, Haj Rahim Timche, Haj Mir Abolfazl Timche.
Famous Saras are Amir Sara, Keshmesh Chi Lar Sara, Haj Rasool Sara, Haj Mirza Ali Sara.
(http://www.tabrizinfo.com/tabriz/sa_sa_kalbod.htm)
Mozaffariye Timche is one of the most beautiful timches of Tabriz bazaar and has way to
Gliz Basti and Thishi Bazaar. This timche has two storys that has 26 hojre on the first floor
and 26 on the second floor. Amir Timche is located near Shohada square and at the entrance
of Tabriz Bazaar. The Architect of Amir Timche was Samad Memar. It has eight angle form
and two-storey Hojre (shop) around it. The biggest brick dome of bazaar is on this timche.
That has beautiful decorations and ornaments (Mogharnas and Karbandy). Amir Sara is across
the Timche and has wide open space with green space and different Hojres.
(http://www.eazarbayjanmiras.ir/Farsi/ConstsCityF.asp?CityID=6&TypeID=5&SourceID=N
A)

Figure 6: Plan (Ahmadkhani et al, 1985) Figure 7: Plan (Ahmadkhani et al, Figure 8: Plan (Ahmadkhani et
and sketch of Amir Sara 1985 and sketch of Amir Timche al,1985) and sketch of Amir
Jonoobi (Southern) Timche shomali (Northern)
Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 5
Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

Hojre (Shops and workshops)

Shops and workshops, called hojre, are simplest and smallest architectural space, but they are
one the most important elements of a bazaar. The shops are located in both sides of the raste
and corridors. These are mostly double-storied, but in some parts of the bazaar with less
importance, these stores are single-storied. The first floor of shops is usually factory or
commercial space, while the second floor is usually the warehouse or an office for
commercial trades. The area of the shops is between 10 and 25 m2.
Most of the shops and workshops in the bazaar are separated from the streets (raste and
corridors) with steps. This difference between the level of the shop and the street is related to
the kind of business and craft inside the shop. For example, the level of shops in some parts is
about 15 cm above the route, and in some cases (usually workshops), it is 15 cm lower.
(Gharipour, 2003)
The connection of shops or workshops to the streets is based on their functions. In some parts
of the bazaar such as druggist stores or provisions stores, shops are in more contact with
customers and people are able to come in and evaluate the quality of products to select. In
some other parts such as coppersmith's raste, shops are connected to the Bazaar through a
long corridor (inside the shop) to increase the safety of the raste. In some other parts, like the
raste for goldsmiths', shops are higher than the level of the bazaar to guarantee the security of
the shop.

Sustainable architecture
The concept of 'environmentally friendly' with resource efficiency has tended to be a defining
characteristic of the environmental debate since the energy crisis of 1973. The main outcome
of this global focus for sustainability in terms of building production has been a continuing
emphasis on improving physical performance generally and the efficient use of energy in
particular. (Guy, et al. 2005:20)
Although there are many different explanations of the concept of sustainable development,
three important themes related to sustainability have been increasingly emphasized and agreed
upon by many researchers, which include social, environmental and economical
sustainability.

Figure 9: Three Basic themes of sustainable development (Khalfan, 2002)

Architectural sustainability is linked to the much quoted Brundtland definition through an

emphasis on limits to the carrying capacity of the planet, and they pointed to the UK's
Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) definition of sustainable
construction as 'the creation and management of healthy buildings based upon resource-
efficient and ecological principle' (Edwards, et al. 2001: 7).
Sustainability in the built environment can be observed in those buildings which have been
with us for many decades, centuries, even millennia (Maver and Petric, 2003:641). The social
dimension of sustainability encompasses the political, the cultural and all people-centered
social issues, and to some extent the economic. It entails ensuring that the basic conditions for
Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 6
Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

human life to flourish exist within society. Some of them include Social interaction, sense of
belonging and spiritual enrichment and fulfilling daily activity such as work (Hes 2005: 14-
15).
Sustainability means protecting and continuing the genius loci, and working with within the
limitations and possibilities that this requires. Sustainability of the building is sublimated to
sustainability of the place. (Williamson, et al. 2003:29) The 'eco-cultural' and 'eco-social'
logics which Guy and Farmer identify both overlap the cultural image of sustainability. The
discourse of the 'eco-cultural' logic frames local ecology and climate as a part of the sense of
place, helping to define the culture and vernacular (Williamson, et al. 2003:31).

Tabriz Bazaar Sustainability

Tabriz bazaar is social, economical and environmental sustainable. Different activities and
land uses are located in its structured architectural and urban context. Mass and open space
are properly mixed together and Bazaar central courtyards help to the regulation of air in
interior space. The existence of green space and water in Bazaar open space help to the
sustainability of the complex and hojres and shops are shaped around these spaces. Tabriz
bazaar has used natural resources prudently and reduced use of the resources. Renewable and
recyclable resources have been used in bazaar. The bazaar has created healthy and non-toxic
environment. Air, land and water pollution are minimized by using vernacular and
environmentally friendly materials and giving the main access to people and not vehicles.
There is social self determination and cultural diversity in the Bazaar and it is compatible with
local community. It Protects and promotes human health through a healthy and safe working
environment. Mixed land uses in the bazaar complex helps to social sustainability also it helps
to employment creation as people work and create artifacts along with selling their products.
It has Flexible design and spaces are used for different and various purposes. Bazaar has
appropriate infrastructures because of its compactness. These characteristics shape the
environmental, social and economical sustainability of bazaar and can be sorted in this table.
Table 1: sustainability in Tabriz Bazaar from three aspects
Environmental Sustainability Social Sustainability Economical
Sustainability
- Prudent use of natural resources - Social self determination and - Promotion of
- Reduced use of the resources cultural diversity. employment creation.
(energy, water, materials, and - being compatible with local - Flexible design and
land) at stages in the life cycle of community. reduced life-cycle cost of
Bazaar - Protection and promote of the Bazaar.
- Use of renewable and recyclable human health through a healthy - Use of fewer
resources. and safe working environment. infrastructures in the
- Creation of healthy and non- - Existence of mixed land uses Bazaar because of the
toxic environment through the in the bazaar complex that compactness of the
elimination of hazardous and helps to social sustainability. complex.
toxic products in the indoor and
exterior of the bazaar complex.
- Minimized air, land and water
pollution.
- Use of environmentally friendly
material.

Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 7

Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi
Bazaar of Tabriz; a sustainable architecture and urban area in Iran

Conclusion
Tabriz bazaar is a sustainable architecture and urban space. It is used as a cultural, social,
commercial, educational and sanitarian area. The shops (Hojres) are spaces for trade.
Different spaces such as Saras, Timches and Rastes help to the sustainability of bazaar with
creating an appropriate of social, economical interaction that helps to sustainability. The
materials used in it are environmentally friendly. The courtyards and their trees and water
wells help using natural resources for ventilation and adjusting interior climate as well as
creating a social space for increasing the community quality and creating the ambiance and
spirit in city. The existence of mosques, schools and baths in the bazaar helps to using fewer
infrastructures. Because of the compactness they have along with other social, economical
benefits. Tabriz bazaar is a good example for future sustainable development because of
different social, economical and environmental aspect that it has.

References:
Easter Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage Organization, Tabriz city [Online]. Available:
http://www.eazarbayjanmiras.ir/Farsi/ConstsCityF.asp?CityID=6&TypeID=5&SourceID=NA
Brian Edwards & Paul Hyett, (2001). Rough Guide to sustainability. London, RIBA
Publications.
Mohammad Gharipour, (2003). Bazzar of Isfahan [Online]. Available:
http://www.iranchamber.com/architecture/bazaar_of_isfahan6.php.
Dominique Hes, (2005). Facilitating ‘green’ building: turning observation into practice.
School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University.
Mehdi Khansari & Minouch Yavari, (1987). Traditional architecture in Iran. Bruxelles : P.
Mardaga.
Steven A. Moore and Simon Guy, (2005). Sustainable Architecture. New York, Spon Press.
Tom Maver & Jelena Petric (2003) Sustainability: real and/or virtual? Automation in
Construction.
Mousavi Nejad,Ahmadkhani, Reyhani & Heydari (1985). Tabriz Bazaar Renovation. Tehran,
Shahid Beheshti University.
Iraj Porushani, (1995) "Bazaar", Encyclopedia of the Islamic world.
Kamran Safamanesh, Behrooz Monadizadeh & Yaghoub Rashtchian, (1997). Tabriz city
physical structure [Online]. Available: http://www.tabrizinfo.com/tabriz/sa_sa_kalbod.htm)
Wikipedia, Bazaar of Tabriz [Online]. Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/bazaar-of-
tabriz-
Terry Williamson, Antony Radford & Helen Bennetts, (2003). Understanding Sustainable
Architecture, London: Spon Press.

Workshop: Housing and Sustainable Urbanisation in Developing Countries 8

Author: Asghar Mohammad Moradi & Fatemeh Nassabi